The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-04-01

a that?''
at may be some American gentle
mans yacht" suggested Ailsa.
''1'hen why wouldn't the craft eve
come into harbOr. and in the day
time, instead of skulking about an,
only edging up to the coast mt night
No. no; he's ma honest. l warrant
and tonight, if we're lucky. wei
prove it. He's slipped through our ne
more than once, but l don't think b,
will tonight"
And. with portcntious shake Of thu
hand, Captain Macfarlane took tn,
glass from his niece and entered tn,
house.
Shortly afterward he emerged agar
and took the way to the stables. and ;
few moments later Aiisa saw him drive
rapidly away to Victoria.
And now pretty blue-eyed Ailsa did
several strange things. First of all she
flew upstairs to her unclc's room, from
which she shortly aftcrwarl emerged
with a roll of brilliantly hued bunting
in her arms. Then she entered the
dark little passage and staircase which
led up to the '.tower," A few moments
afterward, had any one been looking.
they might have noticed strangely
figured square of bunting rise slowly to
the top of the flagstaff which sur
mounted the "tOwer" But no ore
seemed to remark the fact. not even
Ailsa herself. who. leaning out of the
round window, with her uncle's glass
again in her hand. seemed to be watch
ing once more for the little wfitc-sailed
craft still visible far down the sound
A moment silently passed. and then, as
she saw a bright spot of red shoot to
the masthead of the distant sloop. a
joyous exclamation left her lips. and
she closed the telescope, and swiftly
but carefully drew down the flag.
Could it be that thus. from an in
mate of his own household. Duncan
Macf,rlanc's intended prey was to re-
ceivc the warning which should save
him and balk the worthy captain once
againe
Darkness had settled down over the
shores of the sea. and about the Mae
farlane cottage every thing seemed
sunk in the peaceful calm of night. The
captain, indeed. was absent. and Ailsa
could readily guess upon what errand.
The servants had retired to their own
rooms. and their young mistress. there
fore. had the whole front of tire house
to herself. Perhaps she was lonesome.
and if SO it may have been this which
caused her to prefer the murmur of the
waves and the companionship of the
stars to the loneliness of the drawing
room. At all events she had deserted
the latter for her old position upon the
steps of the porch, where, wrapped only
in light, fieecy shawl. for the night
was warm and pleasant, she sat alone
with her thoughts.
Though the sky was clear and UNI
clouded. there was no moon. and the
sound, rs it lay before her. was but IL
broad waste of darkness, uron the sur
face of which it was impossible to dis
cover any object. Ails;,, as she sat
upon the steps. tried to convince herself
that she was pleased that her warning
of the afternoon had been efiectual. but
nevertheless she caught herself looking
wistfuily out into the darkness. search
ing for something. she scarcely knew
what. Once she half rose from her seat
with a sudden start. for il seemed for
moment rs if. Gar away in the darkness.
there doomed something dimly white
and ghost'y, like the wrath of :, pass
ing ship. Bat the fancy faded rs quickly
::s it had com and once more she re-
Sumcd her silent musing.
Slowly the time dragged by. but the
moment came at last when Ailsa
sprang 20 her feet with smothered
cry. There could be no mistake this
time. Dat in the darkness there
flashed for iii instant & tiny flame of
blue light. II Was Smothercd almost
before the girl had seen it. but she
seemed TO slide swiftly down the steps
and toward the bcach. Her pul.cs
We're beating unanimously. ard she
knew it was with joy. yet she kept re-
pcat;ng 10 herself: ..Oa, how could he
be so Reckless! How l wish he had not
come tonight
The garden slopcd down to the beach,
and it was but a moments walk to the
waters edge. But short rs was the
time required boat had grated upon
the beach before Ais: could arrive
there. and even as she paused. irraso-
lutte upon the verge of the last descent,
a dark form sprung swiftly up to where
she stood. and a rapturons voice en-
claimed. in tones suppressed but full of
"Ailsa. Aiisa. my own dear lassie! we
have met once more
Ailsa gave him both of her hands,
but greeting such as this would not
do for this impetuous lover. His arm
went round her waist, aad he drew her
dear little golden head close against
his breast. teadcrly stroking the soft
s:l&en hair and kissing again and again
the warm check that was turned to-
ward him SO shyly.
"Ailsa. my darling little Ailsa." he
gently. 81 have SO longed
TO see you. But have you no word of
welcome for me, dcar?''
Indeed. l am glad to see you, Al
Ian. she answered. smiling up into
his face in the starlight. ..But it was
reckless in you to come after my sig
nal. Though. you would not dare to
venture"